CLEF Ensemble Workshops
Training for ensemble musicians
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CLEF ensemble workshops bring highly skilled faculty members to local churches and dioceses to provide training for ensemble musicians. The program is designed specifically for ensemble musicians with the goal of supporting them in leading the assembly to full, conscious, and active participation in the liturgy.
All vocalists and instrumentalists are welcome!
Training
Through large and small group sessions, the workshop offers training that is customized to the unique needs of vocalists and instrumentalists in an ensemble setting.
Prayer & Reflection
Prayer is an important part of who we are as liturgical ensemble musicians, and each workshop includes opportunities for prayer and reflection to deepen our connection to God.
Community
Ensemble workshops offer a great opportunity to connect with local liturgical musicians, in addition to connecting with the broader CLEF community.
Workshop format
Our three-day ensemble workshops begin on Thursday evening, continue all day Friday, and end Saturday mid-afternoon.
The schedule includes separate instrumental and vocal ensemble sessions in the morning, then afternoon sessions where we put instruments and voices together. Breakout sessions cover a wide range of topics for ensemble musicians, including vocal skills, instrumental skills, liturgy, leadership, and more.
Participants are typically invited to stay and help lead music for the Saturday evening Mass at the host parish.
Within this standard format, we customize the breakout session options and faculty members to fit the needs of the ensemble musicians in the host parish and surrounding areas.
Interested in potentially hosting a training for ensemble musicians in your parish or diocese? Get in touch with our team to learn more.
CLEF requires that all program participants be 18 years or older, and all program activities are limited to registered participants. We take photographs and video/audio recordings during the program, which may be used by CLEF for marketing purposes. Attendees will be given an opportunity to opt out of photos/videos for marketing at check-in for the program.
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Frequently asked questions
CLEF defines a liturgical ensemble as any group in which two or more musicians are gathered to lead music for liturgy. Ensembles may be solely instrumental, or they may consist of a group of instruments accompanying one or more singers.
Since the early days following the Second Vatican Council, ensembles have played a significant role in fostering full, conscious, and active participation in the liturgy. From the early folk groups to today’s contemporary ensembles or groups with a distinct name, ensembles have become a leading voice in many churches.
To that end, it is our goal to support the ensemble musician, be they an instrumentalist, cantor, or choral singer. Our program provides sessions for instrumentalists and vocalists to work in separate groups and as a combined ensemble.
We are an inclusive community where all are welcome regardless of gender, race, culture, age, or ability. We welcome musicians of all skill levels, from church communities large and small, urban and rural, whether paid staff or volunteers.
We welcome both individual and group registrations for CLEF ensemble workshops. Payment can be made by credit card or ACH when registering online, or you may bring check or cash the day of the program.
If registering online for a group and submitting one payment, please provide the first and last name for each registrant and an email address (optional) so we can contact them with reminders about the program.
No, you don’t need to be Catholic to attend this program or access our online CLEF Life resources. While our founding board members and faculty primarily serve as ensemble musicians in Catholic church communities, we have multiple ensemble musicians from other faith traditions as part of the CLEF community and as participants at our programs. To quote a popular song from our faith tradition, “All are welcome.”